Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-01-29

What's the use of telling him. Well take
away the bridge, and the old fellow will
never know but that the horse jumped
the fence and fell over here by himself
1T wouldn't be right to let him think
that returned Stuart. No, I've got 10
tell"
And bring all the rest Of us into the
muss. too, | suppose, - said Ben Hopper.
No; I'll promise not TO mention any OF
YOU. There's no need of it that l can
see"
And can't see that there Is anything
to be gained by telling Pieffer, said Luke
at won't bring the horse to life again.
What's the use Of beipg such saint,
STUART
II don't pretend to be a saint" an
swered Stuart, but I'm not IL coward.
shall tell Pieffer if he kills me the next
minute It's all can do"
80, you'll think better Of it, " said Luke,
as he removed the rope bride from the
neck Of the dead horse. "A nights sleep
will cool you off.
But the night brought no sleep to STU
art, so tormented was he by thoughts OF
the beautiful brown horse lying dead
among the weeds and stones below the
bridge, and when morning came 1t found
his resolution unchanged. He was, as hs
had said. no coward, and he intended 10
confess what he had done irrespective OF
the consequences.
That Mr.. Pieffer would be very severe,
he did not doubt for moment. Perhaps
the old man would give him terrible
thrashing or put him in Jail. He was sure
to mete out a punishment equal TO the
offense, and Stuart knew the offense WIS
very great.
He looked so white and haggsrd when
he came down stairs at G o'clock that his
mother uttered an exclamation Of alarm
You're sick, Stuart" she said; you can
go straight back to bed. III attend to the
COW"
But Stuart shook his head and went out
to the stable TO attend to the COW himself.
He had not told his mother about his mis-
fortune, for he did not want to worry her.
II would be time enough to tell her wheD
he had seen Mr.. Pieffer.
That she might not suspect that some
thing had occurred to trouble him, he tried
to eat his usual allowance Of griddle cakes
at breakfast, but every mouthful seemed
| to choke him, and he had to give up the
attempt in despair.
As soon as he rose from the table he put
| on his hat and went out, despite his
mothers prophecy that the sun would
make him feel worse, and turned his steps
at once in the direction Of Mr.. Pieffer
beautiful suburban residence.
| He had prepared a little speech with
which he intended to begin his confession
| but every word of it fled from his minc
when he entered Mr.. Pieffer's grounds anC
| saw the old gentleman standing only hal
/ a dozen yards away, an angry look on his
face, and his eyes glaring at young negro
who stood before him, looking sullen ant
defiant.
You needn't deny it, sir" were thu
| first words Stuart heard. Il wOuldn'
| believe YOU on oath. You're the dulles
fellow ever had about my stables, but
did think you had sense enough to put th'
bars up when you turned a valuable hors'
like that out to pasture. You're dis
charged, and you needn't ask for recon
mendation, for l won't give itn'
With a heart that seemed IKE q luml
Of lead in his breast, and hesitating foot
steps, Stuart approached the angry pair.
''Mr. Pieffer," he said in a low, shaker
voice, Il want to speak to you, sir.
We'll, speak, and be quick about it,
was the rough reioinder. You wan
work. / suppose, and big wages. Yol
may as well leave; haven't any work TO
you"
NO, sir; | don't want work" STAN
mered poor Stuart. - want to tell yOl
that took your horse out of the pastur
-and-it got frightened and fell over tn
bridge"
For moment, it seemed much longe
to Stuart in his agony OF suspense, the oil
gentleman stared at him in utter silence
his face fairly purple with rage.
.You-yOu young reprObate"' he ex
claimed at last You ought to he shot!
"Yes. sir, know it," answered Stuart
81 was never SO sorry for anything in al
my life as | am for this. But We onl
wanted to have little fun and neye
thought of hurting the horse"
You were not alone, them" said MI
Pieffer.
mo, sir
who were the Others,''
There's no use in telling that, sir, " an
swered Stuart, true to the promise of Sc
crecy he had made. Il was the one VIII
was on the horse when he fell over tn
bridge, and it was all my fault. Ough
not 10 have tried to cross the bridge.
might have known he would be fright
ened at that old tree"
The angry flush left Mr.. Pieffer's face
and very peculiar look came into hi
keen gray eyes.
Nevertheless, you had better tell m
the names of the boys who were wit
you" he said. 1T will be wise for you t
do so"
But the covert threat contained in thes
last words did not cause Stuart to wave
an instant He was very generous, a
well as brave.
Il told the boys | wouldn't, sir" he an
swered respectfully.
They didn't offer to come with you,
SUPPOSE"
There was no need of it"
well, am to look only to you to pa
me for my hOrse!'
Pay him. Stuart stared at the old gen
tlemam aghast The thought Of paying 70
the horse had never entered his mind.
He knew payment was out Of the ques
ton. He had not dollar of his own i
the world, and it was only by the strictes
economy that his mother managed to max
her small income cover their necessary ex
penses; they did not indulge in luxuries @
ally sort
THAT horse was thoroughbred" cor
titued Mr.. Pieffer, his keen eyes still fixe
oA the boys white, distressed face. q
paid 5000 for him the day before you brok
lns peck"
"Six hundred ooTarsr' s.sped poo,
Stuart, his face growing whittier still. "Oh
Mr.. Pieffer."'
Il can show you the receipt for tn,
money, if you want TO see it. have i
here, y tapping his breast pocket. Cost!
fun you had, eh,''
Stuart tried to speak. but his tongu,
Glove 10 the roof of his mouth
You have any money, suppose" saiC
Mr. Pieffer.
mo, sir, not dollar"
You must work it out, then. Are vol
willing to do that2''
''Oh, YES, sir cried Stuart, the colo
coming back to his face. I'D be glad t